Step-By-Step Instructions For Draining A Waterbed

Waterbeds are exactly what the name implies – a bed filled with water. These beds are very popular because they offer complete body support, are often heated so they keep you warm while you sleep, and can help you to fall asleep quicker and have good quality sleep. If you are looking for instructions for draining a waterbed because you want to move one, we’ve got you covered in this article.

Methods for draining a waterbed include using a hose, a pump, a drain kit specifically for a waterbed, or a shop-vac. 

However, because of the water-filled design, a waterbed can be tricky to move if you don’t do it in the right way. It is always a good idea to empty all the water out before moving your waterbed and while this task can seem overwhelming, there are a few easy methods to do it. If you are looking for a bed or mattress that offers superior support without the hassle associated with a waterbed, check out our article about whether orthopedic mattresses work to learn more.

And if you are still considering purchasing a waterbed, check out our article that could help you to choose between an air bed vs. a waterbed to help you make your choice. We have also provided a complete waterbed cost guide as well as these quick tips for waterbed temperature control to help you make your decision. You may also be interested in learning about the different waterbed removal services out there just in case you decide to go back to a traditional mattress instead.

What Are The Methods For Draining A Waterbed? 

There are a few different methods for draining a waterbed. 

The most common methods for draining a waterbed are to use a hose along with the force of gravity, to use a pump to drain a waterbed with more control, to use a drain kit and avoid purchasing separate items, or to use a shop-vac which can be used for other chores around the home.

Method 1. Use A Hose Because You Can Let the Force of Gravity Do the Job For You.

It’s great to use a hose like this to remove all the water from your bed because you won’t need additional equipment. It’s cost-effective since a lot of people already have a hose at home and it’s quicker than other methods. Plus, you don’t have to be present throughout the process 

However, this option isn’t available to you if you live in an apartment and don’t have a hose, or if you can’t get to your outside garden faucet or bathtub for a water outlet.

A hose is a common household item that you can use to empty your waterbed. Image source: MentalFloss.com.

Method 2. Use A Pump If You Don’t Want to Risk Making a Mess

One of the main benefits of using a pump is that it’s a fast way to drain a waterbed and you won’t risk making a mess because it allows you to control the draining process more. You can purchase an electric pump like this at your local dealer shop, and use an air bubble from the valve for draining.

The downside of this process is that you have to be there the whole time that the pump is running since running a pump dry could burn your waterbed and damage it permanently.

Using a water pump like this is a quick way to drain a waterbed without making a mess. Image source: ArvadaRentAlls.

Method 3. Use a Drain Kit If You Don’t Want to Worry About Purchasing Separate Items

The great thing about a drain kit is that you get everything you need in one purchase. You don’t have to worry about forgetting to buy something you need because it’s all in one package. You can easily find these kits at a local hardware store and follow the instructions for preventing air leaks.

However, this method works exclusively with a hose, and the higher price tag might not be an option for you. 

If you want to know how to use a drain kit, check out these installation instructions from Lowe’s. 

A drain kit includes everything you need to drain your waterbed. Image source: Slumberpros.com.

Method 4. Use a Shop-Vac If You Like Multitasking With Your Home Appliances

If you are a DIY person, and you like multitasking with your home appliances, using a shop-vac like this might be the right choice for you. A shop-vac can drain up to 40 gallons of water per trip, and it’s a great way of removing the remaining water drops from the mattress once you’re done. 

However, if you have a smaller size shop-vac, it could take more than 15-20 trips to empty all the water from the mattress.

A shop-vac is a handy appliance that can be used for any household chores including emptying your waterbed. Image source: Amazon.

 

Waterbed Draining Methods Comparison

Waterbed Draining Method	Pros	Cons	What You’ll Need with Amazon Links
Hose	Affordable, Time-efficient, does not need to be checked	Requires accessible outside drainage or bathtub	Towels, drain access, Plumbcraft 7507100 Dehumidifier Drain Hose
Pump	A fast method that uses air bubble for draining	Running the pump dry could burn your mattress, it has to be checked	Draining Pump like  Electric Water Pump for California King, Queen & Super Single Waterbeds
Drain Kit	Comes with all the items included in a set, is readily available, prevents air leaks	This is an expensive solution, only compatible with a hose	Waterbed Drain Kit such as RPS Products DFK
Shop-Vac	Great for finishing the water removal process	Could take up to 15-20 runs depending on vac size	Water Compatible Shop-Vac like Snow Joe ASHJ201

How To Drain A Waterbed With A Hose

If you want to drain your waterbed you’ll need a proper draining hose, access to an outside drain, or your bathtub for a water outlet. 

To drain a waterbed with a hose, remove the bedding and unplug the waterbed. Remove the valve cap and prevent air pockets. Attach the waterbed draining hose to the valve, and to speed up the process, press down onto your waterbed by applying weight.

Step 1. Remove the Sheets and Unplug Your Waterbed

To prevent any water leaks that could damage your floor or bed, make sure the area around the bed is covered with towels. Remove all the sheets and pillows on the bed to have a clear surface.

Most importantly, unplug your bed heater before draining it to prevent serious injuries. If you forget to do so you could electrify yourself if the heater gets wet. To learn more about how to keep your waterbed safe check out our article about air bed dangers and how to fix them as some of the tips we provide could be applied to waterbeds as well.

Step 2.  Remove the Valve cap and Prevent Air Pockets

To secure a steady water flow, remove the valve cap on your waterbed. To prevent air pockets, weigh the area around the valve with a few heavy objects. Attaching the hose to the valve will then be much easier, and you’ll know that there’s no extra air to prolong the process.

Step 3.  Attach your Waterbed Draining Hose to the Valve

Connect the nozzle of the hose to the valve opening and place the other side of the hose into the drain that empties into your garden. If you can’t access the garden drain, or if you live in an apartment, you can use the bathtub drain.

Step 4. Press Down onto the Waterbed by Applying Weight

You don’t have to include this step, but it could drastically speed up the entire process. Applying some weight onto the waterbed should force the water to run faster, or you can simply lie down on the bed yourself.

How To Drain A Waterbed With A Pump

To drain a waterbed using a pump, you’ll need a proper electric water pump, a hose that comes with it, and an adaptor. 

To drain a waterbed with a pump, first press the area around the valve to remove all external air. Connect the pump to the valve, then turn the pump on and observe the draining process. 

Step 1. Press the Area around a Valve

Before attaching your electric pump, you can press the area around the valve to remove all external air. This should make the process much faster, giving you a headstart before you attach the pump to do the rest of the job.

Step 2. Connect the Pump to the Valve

When connecting the pump, make sure that you have placed the end of the hose into the right area for all the water to drain because as soon as you activate the pump it will rapidly start pushing the water from the mattress.  

Step 3. Observe the Draining process

You need to watch over the process constantly and you should replace the plug and seal the mattress as soon as the pump finishes the job. If you don’t, you could damage your waterbed.

Before moving your waterbed, make sure that all the water is drained and that you have sealed the air valve properly to prevent air from leaking into the mattress.

How To Drain A Waterbed With A Drain Kit

You can use a drain kit to empty all the water from your waterbed, and everything you need is already included in the kit. Still, it’s one of the most expensive methods, and you need to know exactly how to apply this option. 

To drain a waterbed with a drain kit, attach the faucet adaptor to the sink, connect a hose to the outflow from the adapter, connect the mattress valve to the adapter and turn on the faucet. This will replace the water in the waterbed. 

You can purchase this Blue Magic Waterbed Fill and Drain Kit which is very easy to use. This video tutorial explains exactly how to use it, and we have also included these instructions from boydwaterbeds.com.

Step 1. Attach the Faucet Adaptor to the Sink

The first thing you need to do is to connect the faucet adaptor from the drain kit to your sink or faucet. Next, make sure you have a tight connection to prevent any air leaking into the valve. Then, connect the drain kit hose to the outside outlet to empty the waterbed. You could use a drain that empties into the garden or a bathtub.

Step 2. Turn on the Faucet to Refill the Waterbed, if necessary

If you plan on re-filling the waterbed, the next step is to establish a steady water flow of warm water so that you can continuously drain the waterbed and refill it with fresh water. It only takes a few seconds to accomplish this, so you should be safe with the drain kit connection.

How To Drain A Waterbed With A Shop-Vac

To drain a waterbed with a shop-vac, you’ll need a vacuum cleaner that has sufficient size to support at least 5 gallons of water and a suitable draining area. The process is quite easy, but it might take up to 15 or 20 runs if you use a smaller shop-vac.

First, connect the shop-vac outlet to the waterbed valve. Then activate the shop-vac to start sucking the water from the waterbed. Lastly, empty the water from the shop-vac into your preferred drainage system and repeat until finished.

On the other hand, using a shop-vac is a great way to eliminate the remaining water once the draining process is finished.

Step 1. Connect the Shop-Vac Outlet to the Waterbed Valve

You can connect the shop-vac outlet to the waterbed valve to start the suction process. The water from your mattress will slowly start to flow into the vac. 

Step 2.  Remove the Water from the Shop-Vac and Repeat Until Finished

Once your shop-vac is full of water, empty the water into your preferred draining area. Repeat the process until the mattress is completely empty. Depending on the vac’s power and size, you could fill it 15 to 20 times while emptying your waterbed.

If you want to know more about draining a waterbed with a shop-vac, check out this article from STL beds.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately it’s easy to empty your waterbed once you know all the steps to follow. After reading this guide, you should be able to use any of the listed methods that will work for you. But whichever method you choose, make sure to close the valve properly once you have finished emptying the water out.

Air leaks are bad for your bed, so you should only move your bed once you are certain that the last drop of water is out. To do this properly, apply the shop-vac method at the end of your draining to remove the remaining water drops from the bed.

And if after reading this you decide you don’t want to deal with a waterbed, check out our article that looks at choosing between an orthopedic mattress vs. a regular mattress.

Key Takeaways

Importance of Draining

Draining a waterbed is a crucial step when moving or maintaining it, ensuring the ease of transport and prolonging its lifespan. Understanding the right draining method can prevent potential damages and preserve the bed’s comfort and support features.

Variety of Draining Methods

There are several methods to drain a waterbed including using a hose, a pump, a drain kit, or a shop-vac. Each method has its own set of pros and cons catering to different preferences and situations. For instance, a hose utilizes gravity, is cost-effective, and requires minimal supervision, whereas a pump offers faster drainage and better control, albeit needing constant supervision.

Cost and Convenience Considerations

Some methods are more cost-effective like using a hose, while others like a drain kit, although costlier, provide a convenient all-in-one solution. Your choice might depend on the availability of equipment, budget constraints, and the level of convenience you seek in the draining process.

Efficiency and Speed of Draining

The speed and efficiency of draining vary across methods. For example, a pump can drain the bed faster but requires continuous supervision, while a hose is slower but can work unattended. Your choice might depend on your schedule and the urgency of the task.

Supplementary Equipment

Some methods may require additional equipment or accessories, such as a proper draining hose or an electric pump. Assessing what equipment is already available or needs to be purchased is essential for a hassle-free draining process.

Final Clean-Up

Utilizing a shop-vac for the final clean-up can ensure that every last drop of water is removed, preventing potential issues related to leftover moisture. It’s a practical step to thoroughly complete the draining process, ensuring the bed is ready for the next steps, whether it’s moving or refilling.

Reiterative Process for Complete Drainage

Certain methods like using a shop-vac may require a repetitive process to ensure complete drainage. Preparing for multiple rounds of drainage can help manage time and expectations, ensuring a smoother process.

Adherence to Instructions

Following the step-by-step instructions meticulously for the chosen draining method ensures the safety and effectiveness of the process. Whether it’s attaching hoses securely, monitoring the pump, or ensuring complete drainage, adherence to instructions is key to a successful waterbed draining experience.